Their lives became a political football. Tony Abbott did a grandstand a few months a go and said there would be serious consequences if they were killed. Well wasn't that stirring the pot? The Indonesians have had enough of the British Imperialism and are telling us they won't be pushed around.

If our Govt was intent on saving their lives, this should have been done diplomatically behind closed doors and not threatening dire consequences.

The HSBC gets busted for laundering drug money on more than one occasion.No one is charged.They just get token fines.

Afghanistan under the control of the USA now supplies 90% of the world's heroin. We see pictures on youtube of US soldiers carrying weapons in those poppy fields. They eliminated whole forests with Agent Orange in Vietnam but cannot eliminate exposed poppy fields in Afghanistan.

Firstly Arjay the British did not occupy Indonesia it was the Dutch. The British gave the Indonesians a bloody nose when Indonesia attacked Malaysia in the 1960's.
We all know what the penalty is and all the bleeding heart nonsense and attacking Tony Abbott is ignored by Indonesia anyway. This only fuels the Indonesian's anger at what they see as our dissolute, corrupt society lecturing them. Today we still have idiots attacking the Federal Police for turning the druggo's in to Indonesia. What we now work with our criminals against other countries and help drug smuggling? Nice little lawyer's picnic, as if they cannot make themselves any richer or more loathsome.
Personally I would legalise all drugs but with the proviso that drugs cannot excuse any actions and rehab providers cannot be a charity.

Their was not 'failure of capital punishment' in this case.

Two criminals will never offend again.

JBowyer it was the same European Central Banks who controlled the Dutch and English who were behind. The USA (ie the Ex British) who have intimidated the Indonesians along with Australia. Which Western Countries are in Indonesia sucking off their cheap labour?

Sure the Indonesians are corrupt ,well so are our Govts. Tony Abbott should have said nothing rather than trying to threaten them. Can you see the hypocrisy ?

Alas Australia still has a white colonialist masters attitude and this helped seal the fate of the two Australians. Abbott is certainly not a diplomat and his efforts must have only inflamed the situation. Also a rabid media more concerned with stiring up trouble and making money than concern about the lives of the two men involved, created more problems for them with increased antipathy from the Indonesians. There were many reasons why the men should have been spared but in the light of the media attention and comments by Abbott to do so would make Joko seem weak. Arrogance has consequences and until Australia tries to understand Asians and learns diplomacy their supremistattitude will only encourage resentment from the region rather than effecting change.

Wouldn't it be wonderful if these silly children & bleeding hearts could actually grow up a bit, put 2 & 2 together, & see where their attitudes are leading this country.

Thank god there are still countries who stand by the principal that there are those who by their actions have lost the right to precipitate in a civilised society.

At least Indonesia still cleanses their society of those not worthy to be part of any society. Long may it last.